5, Impact of Top League

Rugby in Japan

Week 5

     Top League was established in 2003. Now, there are more than 2000 teams in Japan. In Kantou area, there are nearly 200 college teams, about 550 high school teams, about 100 teams and over 500 club teams. These teams are registered with Japan Rugby Football association. The number of club teams is not larger than high school  teams, but the number of rugby players is the largest of all.  The ability of the club teams improved. The rugby championships of each area are substantial. A national championship for club teams was started in 1993. The representative of the club team can participate in a championship in Japan. This was started in 2003. One of the characteristics of club teams is that they settle in their hometowns. Here, I want to introduce main activities of club teams. They assume a league match a place of the charity and do donation activity. Some teams in the same league jointly hold an event and contribute to the area. They make their own team as lifelong sport. They hold courses of lectures for elementary school and junior high school students and hold clinics for high school students. If the teams have something in reserve, they establish and support their youth team and senior team. In addition, they do working on blood donation, tree planting and other volunteer activity
 (HOKKAIDO BARBARIANS)

       Now, many club teams in Japan have been making an effort. Many high school and junior high school in Japan do not have a rugby team. So students cannot play rugby near themself. Club teams can provide environment with rugby for children. Many club teams lay emphasis on instruction of children. We can say that the club teams take important role in future rugby society. 

      By the way, do you know the club team near yourself? For example, I take my case. I am an University of Tsukuba student. Indeed, there is a club team in Tsukuba city. The team practice at rugby ground of University of Tsukuba every week. The team's name is TSUKUBARIANS. Many people belong to this team. The youngest player is 2 years old. The oldest player is over 60 years. This team has kindergarten children, elementary school children, junior high school students and workers. Of course, this team is strong. In the past, this team have become an East Japan champion. Speaking confidentially, I have been belonging to TSUKUBARIANS for ten years. If you are interested in rugby and find a rugby club near yourself, you had better go there and take a look them.

(JRFU Official Site)










　　

4, Top League Was Established

Rugby In Japan

week 4

     Ten years passed after the Top League was established. Japan Rugby Football Union made it and Top League's chief architect is Hirosaki Shukuzawa. Why was the Top League established?

    One, JRFU wanted to make the team of Japan strong. Japanese team participated in all past Rugby World Cups. The first World Cup was in 1987. Seemingly Japanese team seems to be strong, but Japanese team had had not advance to the final even one time. Every time Japanese team was defeated by preliminary round.  Many people think that Japanese team is not strong. The Japanese rugby level is low down in the world. Now, Japanese team is the strongest in Asia. However, most people do not evaluate the result. Japanese baseball team had won World Baseball Classic twice. The soccer team advanced to the final round. In other sports, for example tennis, volleyball, judo, and so on, many athlete play an active part in world stage. Most people is not only hoping for rugby team's success but also demand. JRFU think that it have to make the strong team.

    Second, JRFU wanted people to get close to rugby. Maybe many people don't know much about rugby. "How many people do you need for rugby game?" Can you answer this question with confidence? Perhaps it is difficult. The answer is 15 people, not 9 and not 11. I think that Japanese rugby don't develop unless many people know rugby and enjoy playing it. Now, JRFU tried new challenge. JRFU carried out sevens rugby national high school championship for women last year. Of course, few Japanese women play rugby. But it is important that national championship is held. 
         (Sevens Rugby Official Site)

　 In order to increase competition population, not only men but also women had better play rugby. And, the number of tournament increased than ever. These made rugby players (not pro players) motivate to play.

      I think that establishing pro rugby league may makes people know rugby, but this is not enough. It is because a game of the rugby is not broadcasted on TV. A baseball game is broadcasted on TV almost everyday in a terrestrial channel or BS. Also, a soccer game is too, not everydat but everyweek. The power of TV is big. Twenty years before, rugby was more popular than soccer. The pro soccer league was established and the gemes were broadcasted on TV, many people could get close to. Now, soccer is more popular than rugby. I hope that I can watch a rugby game everyweek on TV.    

(Top League Official Site, Sevens Rugby Official Site)